Side Steps, a new technique June, 2005

The slope was spill from levelling the pad for the temple and had never been compacted .

It seemed a bad idea to undertake any major earthworks which would disturb the tree roots which were probably the main things holding the slope in place.

We outlined the steps' position with string lines and divided the distance into equal distances which determined the location of the treads and risers. Then we drilled 100 mm wide, 450 mm deep (or as close as we could get) vertical holes using a hand auger - although several times we had to move the hole or it's alignment to avoid severe damage to a tree root. Next we filled the holes with concrete using sections of plastic sewer pipe to raise the concrete column to the required height (as determined by the original string line.

12 mm reinforcing bars were positioned in the centre of the columns and extended 100-150 mm beyond the concrete.

Once the pins were in placed we built tapered (for easy removal) form work for pouring the risers. The protruding sections of rebar were bent horizontal and tied together with another length of rebar which fitted inside the form work. The form work was lined with plastic (to aid removal), placed over this reinforcing metal and held in place with a couple of stakes and clamps, bricks, wedges and anything else which would serve.

As always the form work was unwieldy and temperamental when empty, but once filled with wet cement it became solid and stable - so long as it was in the right position when the concrete went in - and it didn't move - it was a relatively straightforward process. In true "there's got to be a harder way" fashion, we used 2 sets of form work and started from the top and the bottom simultaneously so that we could do 2 pours daily and thus halve the time it took to construct the risers.

Amazingly we met perfectly in the middle and the risers looked lovely , seemingly perched on the slope. The irregularities were a result of choosing to move a hole slightly to avoid root damage and, in the test of time, have proven not to be a problem.

The next task was to create a space which we could fill with something suitable (in the event we used crusher dust) for walking on which would drain well and be a good surface for feet and shoes. The side of the step cavities were filled with empty champagne bottles - of which we had a large amount, but that's another story - and mortar. Once again we were delighted with the versatility and ease-of-use of the inexpensive construction method in the most awkward of places.

And here they are the completed steps, waiting for the addition of crusher dust and a minimal amount of tamping to deliver a safe and effective passage down a steep slope. Although labour intensive (all the concrete was carried down the slope in metal buckets) the total cost was under $150 for materials, the tree roots were largely undisturbed and we cut the distance to our nursery by 75%.

The tour

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